London: Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace

The Palace Lounge gives afternoon tea a distinctly British setting: you sit down at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel for sandwiches, warm scones, pastries, and a pot of tea, with Champagne available as an option. I like the grand hotel atmosphere and the thoughtful mix of savoury bites and sweets, which makes this more than a quick cake stop.

The main consideration is price. At $111 per person, this is a special-occasion treat, not a budget way to fill an afternoon. Extra food and drinks are not included, so it pays to check what your booking covers before you settle in.

Key points before you book

• The setting is part of the occasion: Afternoon tea is served in the Palace Lounge at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel.
• Expect several courses: Finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and preserves, and pastries make up the meal.
• Tea is included: Choose from black, green, white, and herbal teas from P.M. David Silva & Sons.
• Champagne depends on your option: It is included only when you select the Champagne-inclusive booking.
• Plan for 90 minutes: The experience lasts 1.5 hours, with starting times shown when you check availability.
• Dress for a hotel restaurant: Sportswear, flip-flops, sandals, shorts, and ripped clothing are not permitted.

A Palace Lounge setting for afternoon tea

Afternoon tea can be a simple snack, but at The Rubens it is framed as a hotel occasion. You take your seat in the Palace Lounge, where the surroundings help set the mood before the food arrives. The hotel’s royal theme suits the ritual: small sandwiches, a pot of tea, warm scones, and delicate pastries served at an unhurried pace.

I’d choose this experience when you want a memorable pause in a London day, rather than a meal you need to fit between attractions. The 1.5-hour duration gives you time to enjoy the food and setting without turning the booking into a full-day commitment. The trade-off is that the experience is focused on the lounge. Transportation is not included, and there is no sightseeing component.

The atmosphere is one of its strongest draws. The room is described as opulent, and the service as attentive. That sense of ceremony is a big part of what you are paying for. If a grand hotel setting feels special to you, the surroundings will add real value. If you mainly want a generous plate of food at the lowest price, a less formal tea room may suit you better.

Start with sandwiches, then take your time

The savoury course is a set of small sandwiches with distinct fillings and breads. The sample menu includes Scottish smoked salmon with caviar and chive cream cheese on cape seed loaf; roast beef sirloin with wild rocket and horseradish cream on beetroot bread; and chicken with grain mustard mayonnaise and toasted almonds on white bread.

There are also Barber’s cheddar with plum tomato on onion bread, and cucumber with mint crème fraîche on Norfolk crunch. That range gives you a mix of familiar flavours and a few more dressed-up touches. The sandwiches are delicate finger-food portions, not a large lunch on their own, so the scones and sweets matter if you arrive hungry.

The menu is a sample, not a guarantee of what will be served on your date. Ingredients can vary, so check ahead if you have a particular preference or dietary need. If you are booking for a vegetarian, vegan, halal, or gluten-free tea, tell the provider at least 48 hours before your scheduled booking.

Scones are the heart of the ritual

The scones come in plain, fruit, and cheese varieties, served with homemade seasonal preserve, lemon curd, and clotted cream. This is the part of tea that rewards slowing down. Try the scone while it is fresh, then decide how you like to balance the cream and preserve. The lemon curd offers a sharper alternative to the fruit preserve.

The cheese scone adds a savoury turn, which is useful if you want a break from the sweeter course. With several sandwich fillings and pastries also on the table, you do not need to treat every item as a race. You have 90 minutes, so pace yourself and leave room for the final course.

The homemade seasonal preserve is a small detail, but it helps make the meal feel tied to the season rather than entirely fixed. Still, the listed food is not a promise that every item will be available. The menu may change, so go in expecting the style of the meal, not a specific pastry or filling.

Finish with pastries and a proper pot of tea

The sweet selection has a polished patisserie feel. The sample menu includes The Crown Hukambi chocolate with hazelnut praline and chocolate sablé; a blackberry éclair; and a blackberry chiboust with blackberry fruit glaze. Other listed choices include rhubarb and vanilla with vanilla sponge, rhubarb jelly, and Opalys crémeux, plus a citrus meringue tart with almond cream, candied lemon, and lime zest.

That variety moves between chocolate, fruit, citrus, and softer vanilla flavours. It is a good contrast to the savoury sandwiches, and the small pastry format lets you sample more than one style without committing to a single large dessert. Again, the menu can change, so treat these as examples rather than a fixed selection.

Tea is included, with black, green, white, and herbal options from P.M. David Silva & Sons. That choice matters: a strong black tea can balance the cream and pastries, while a lighter or herbal option may suit you better later in the afternoon. Coffee is also included. Champagne is available, but check that you have selected the inclusive option if you want it covered in the price.

What the price buys, and what it does not

At $111 per person, this is firmly in special-occasion territory. You are paying for a formal hotel setting, the service, the tea, and a multi-part meal with sandwiches, scones, and pastries. The appeal is not simply the amount of food. It is the chance to enjoy a traditional British ritual in a polished setting without having to plan the menu yourself.

Value depends on what you want from afternoon tea. If the grand surroundings and attentive service are central to the occasion, the cost may feel worthwhile. If you are comparing it only with an ordinary lunch, it will seem expensive. One practical caution: additional food and drinks are not included, and you may be offered extra drinks such as water or wine. Ask about the cost before ordering, especially if you are trying to keep your spending predictable.

Champagne changes the value calculation, too. It is included only in the Champagne-inclusive option, not automatically with every booking. Check your selected option carefully so the price matches the experience you have in mind.

Who will enjoy this afternoon tea most

I’d consider The Rubens for a birthday, a celebratory day out, or a first taste of formal British afternoon tea. It also suits anyone who cares about the setting as much as the menu. The hotel atmosphere, careful service, and traditional spread give the occasion a sense of theatre without requiring a long itinerary.

It may be less appealing if you want a casual, inexpensive snack or need a full meal with large portions. The sandwiches and pastries are delicate by design, and the total price rises if you order extras. If you have dietary requirements, plan ahead rather than assuming the sample menu can be changed on the day.

The experience is wheelchair accessible, and the host or greeter speaks English. Bring a passport or ID card, and follow the dress code: sportswear, sandals, flip-flops, shorts, and ripped clothing are not permitted. Those rules are worth noting before booking, since anyone who does not meet the dress policy may be refused entry to the restaurants and bars.

Should you book The Rubens afternoon tea?

Book it if you want the surroundings and service to be part of your afternoon, and you are comfortable paying a premium for a traditional tea in a palace-themed hotel. The blend of sandwiches, scones, seasonal preserves, pastries, and a broad tea selection gives you the full ritual in one sitting.

Choose another option if price is your main concern, you prefer an informal café, or you want transport or sightseeing included. For a special occasion, though, The Rubens offers a clear promise: take your time in the Palace Lounge, enjoy a classic spread, and make an ordinary afternoon feel like an event.

FAQ

How long does the afternoon tea last?

The experience lasts 1.5 hours.

Where is the afternoon tea served?

It is served in the Palace Lounge at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel.

What food is included?

The afternoon tea includes an assortment of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and pastries.

Are tea and coffee included?

Yes. Tea or coffee is included.

What kinds of tea can I choose?

The selection includes black, green, white, and herbal teas from P.M. David Silva & Sons.

Is Champagne included in the price?

Champagne is included only if you select the Champagne-inclusive option.

Can I request a vegetarian, vegan, halal, or gluten-free tea?

Yes. Inform the activity provider of dietary requirements at least 48 hours before your booking.

Is the menu fixed?

No. The menu is a sample and may vary.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is wheelchair accessible.

What should I wear?

Do not wear sportswear, sandals, flip-flops, shorts, or ripped clothing. Bring a passport or ID card.